Northern Ireland: Conflict and Change - Softcover

Jonathan Tonge

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0135341817 ISBN 13: 9780135341810

Publisher: Prentice Hall, 1997

Synopsis

This book combines an examination of the historical context of the Northern Ireland conflict with an examination of the contemporary political situation and the peace process. It explores the issues behind the longevity of the conflict, and provides a detailed analysis of the attempts to create a lasting peace in Northern Ireland. With a comprehensive overview of the Anglo-Irish agreement, it places considerable emphasis upon the peace process of the 1990's and analyses the key factors that led to the development and the recent collapse of peace in Northern Ireland. All of these issues are examined in light of long-standing divisions such as national identity, religion and community. No prior knowledge of the subject is assumed throughout.

About this title

Review

"This is an insightful and scholarly book, which skilfully examines recent changes in the political dynamics of Northern Ireland. The author provides a detailed analysis of the leading protagonists and the key political issues which is thoroughly researched, incisive and thought–provoking. For anyone interested in learning more about why the peace process has stuttered so badly in recent years, this book is a must read."

Feargal Cochrane, Lancaster University

"Jonathan Tonge′s knowledge of Northern Ireland is prodigious and his research is painstaking, sharp and detached. He has an eye for the telling comment. This book displays all these qualities. Not only does it audit the status of the peace process but it offers an agenda for moving politics forward. This is a must read for politicians and policy–makers as well as students."

Paul Arthur, University of User

From the Back Cover

For almost three decades the troubles in Northern Ireland raged, claiming over 3,600 lives, with civilians accounting for almost half the fatalities. In this book, Jonathan Tonge examines the reasons for that conflict; the motivations of the groups involved and explores the prospects for a post–conflict Northern Ireland.

The book:

• assesses the motivations and campaigns of the IRA, UVF and UDA and other armed groups
• discusses what each paramilitary group achieved through violence
• analyses the continuing controversies surrounding the Northern Irelands dirty war
• outlines the extent of collusion between British security forces and loyalist paramilitaries
• explores how governments and political parties shaped the peace process
• scrutinizes prospects for the political development of unionism and nationalism within a devolved power sharing framework
• examines whether the sectarian divide is strengthening or weakening
• concludes by assessing whether Northern Ireland can move permanently from violence and instability to become a normal peaceful polity, in which the war is merely a historic relic

Written by an acknowledged expert in the field, Northern Ireland combines incisive analysis, original research and a lucid style to provide an important assessment of what has been described as an 800 year old problem.

Edition details

• Publisher: Prentice Hall
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0135341817
• ISBN 13: 9780135341810
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240